High cholesterol levels can be dangerous. Cholesterol is a type of fat that can build up inside the arteries. Over time, it can harden to form a stiff plaque. That damages arteries, making them stiff and narrow and inhibiting blood flow. The heart has to work harder to pump blood, and risk for heart attack and stroke go up.
Researchers don’t have all the answers yet and continue to grapple with how diabetes and high cholesterol are related. In one study published in The Journal of Lipid , they found that blood sugar, insulin, and cholesterol all interact with each other in the body, and are affected by each other. They just weren’t sure exactly how.
Meanwhile, what’s important is that you’re aware of the combination between the two. Even if you keep your blood sugar levels under control, your LDL cholesterol levels may still go up. However, you can control both of these conditions with medications and good lifestyle habits.
*** Diabetes and Cholesterol:
Diabetes tends to lower “good” cholesterol levels and raise triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol levels, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. This condition is called diabetic dyslipidemia.
Diabetic dyslipidemia means your lipid profile is going in the wrong direction. It's a combination that puts people at risk for premature coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
